Rotary machine



T. L. COSBY ROTARY MACHINE July 22, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April '2, 1967 V V 1ML /Nl/E/VTOI? T. L. COSBY ROTARY MACHINE July 22, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 7, 1967 United States Patent O 3,456,594 ROTARY MACHINE Thomas L. Cosby, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Seek, Incorporated, a corporation of Illinois Filed Apr. 7, 1967, Ser. No. 629,128 Int. Cl. F04c 1/16, 3/00 U.S. Cl. 103-139 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DSCLOSURE This invention relates to a rotary machine and more particularly to such a machine using reciprocating vanes traveling in a channel and which may be operated either as a fluid driven motor or as a pump.

Rotary machines of this general type are known, see for example Bowen, Jr., 1,236,399, but have had several defects. A principal problem has been the difficulty in operating them smoothly as the active vane area changed from time to time during rotation. When operating as a motor, for example, and with constant driving pressure, the change in vane area results in a change of motor torque. Prior machines have also had complex structure, particularly in the vanes and cams, made up of a multiplicity of parts, which contributes to practical operating difficulties.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide an o improved rotary machine of the reciprocating vane type having constant active vane area for smoother operation and of a relatively simple and reliable construction.

One feature of the invention is that the machine comprises a first member having an annular channel therein with a plurality of ramps in the channel each having a rising and a descending portion with a high point dividing the channel into chambers of equal length. A second member, rotatable with respect to the first, has a plurality of reciprocating vanes equally spaced thereon and extending into and sealed with the walls and bottom of the channel. Inlet and outlet ports for each of the chambers are provided between the ends of the rising and descending portions of the sample and the high points thereof. Twice as many reciprocating vanes are provided as channel chambers and the total length of each ramp is subsantially equal to the spacing between vanes and to the distance between adjacent ends of each pair of ramps. The vanes are active only in the span of distance between the ends of adjacent ramps, during which time they are fully extended. Accordingly, the active vane area is constant.

Another feature of the invention is that the first member has a manifold inside the channel connected with one end of each chamber and an annular manifold outside the channel connected with the other end of each chamber.

A further feature is the provision of an enclosure for the second member with bearing means between the member and the enclosure.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following specification and drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the first or base member with the rotor removed, but showing the relative positions of the vanes;

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FIGURE 2 is a side view of the machine partially in section and partially in elevation;

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of a portion of the channel showing the relationship between the vane spacing and the ramp dimensions and spacing;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary transverse section through a ramp;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary transverse section through a reciprocating vane;

FIGURE 6 is a reduced elevation, partially broken away, illustrating a pressure relief feature Iof lthe machine;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a modified vane mounting; and

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary transverse section showing peripheral bearings between the two members.

The rotating machine to be described herein is designed as a motor, for unidirectional operation and some of the novel features incorporated therein are particularly adapted for this design. However, many features of the machine may be utilized in either motors or pumps or in bidirectional devices.

Referring more particularly to FIGURES l and 2, the machine includes a first or base member 15 and a second or rotor member 16. Both are disc-like in configuration and the rotor 16 is held in face-to-face relation with the base 1S by a cover or enclosure 17, secured to the base by screws 18. The rotor is provided with a shaft 19 which extends outwardly through a shaft seal 20 carried by cover 17.

The first or base member 15 has a generally planar central portion 23 and a peripheral downwardly extending rib 24 in which is formed a circular channel 25 having straight side walls 25a, 25b and a bottom wall 25a` with a tapered or semi-circular configuration. Channel 25 is divided into four separate chambers 26, 27, 28 and 29 by four identical ramps 30, 31, 32 and 33. The ramp 30 will be considered as typical. It has a rising portion 30a and a descending portion 30b with a high portion Stlc intermediate thereof. The rising and descending portions 30a, 3011 are narrower than the channel and are centrally located to define fluid passages on either side thereof. The central portion 30e of the ramp lls the entire channel and separates chambers 26 and 27, -on either side thereof. Similarly, the central portions of the other ramps separate and define the channel chambers. The ramps are equally spaced so that the chambers are of lequal length.

Rotor 16 carries eight vanes 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39, received in holes, as 38a, FIGURE 2, arranged in a circular pattern aligned with channel 25. The cylindrical vanes are round in cross-section and have rounded lower ends which are complementary with the semi-circular cross-section of the bottom Wall 25C of channel 25. A spring, as 38h, is located behind each of the vanes and urges it downwardly. As rotor member 16 turns with respect to base member 15, vanes 32-38 ride up and down the rising and descending ramp portions, as will appear.

Each of chambers 26-29 is provided with ports at either end which join with inner and outer manifolds 42 and 43, respectively. `Considering channel section 26 as representative, port 44 extends between the counterclockwise end of channel section 26 and manifold 42 while port 45 extends between the clockwise end of the channel section and outer manifold 431. 1n the embodiment of the machine shown in the drawing, where the rotor turns in a clockwise direction, and which is particularly :adapted for motor operation, manifold 42 is an inlet or pressure manifold and manifold 43 is an outlet or exhaust manifold. Port 44 is an inlet port for the chamber adapted to deliver fiuid under pressure which drives the rotor. Spent fluid is exhausted through port 45.

The operation will be described in more detail with relation to FIGURE 3 which illustrates a portion of the structure in diagram-matic form. The rotor 16 and vanes are shown in a different position from that of FIGURES 1 and 2 with respect to the stator fand the vanes have been designated by primed reference numerals to avoid confusion. As pointed out above, the ramps 'are equally spaced, the total lengt-h of each ramp is one-eight the circumference of the channel and the distance between adjacent ramp ends is also one-eighth the circumference of the channel. Since there are eight vanes, twice as many vanes as ramps, the vanes are spaced apart one-eighth the circumference of the channel. Thus, one, but only one, vane is active in each chamber of the channel at all times. Considering the chamber 26, the pressurized driving fiuid enters through port 44 at the left and acts against the left hand side of vane 32 which has just sealed With Ithe channel wall after descending ramp -snrface 3311. At the same time, vane 331 begins to rise along the ramp portion 30a so that driving fluid between the two vanes can exhaust through port 45. A similar action takes place in chamber 27 where vane 34 leaves descending ramp portion 30b as vane 35 starts up rising ramp surface portion 31a.

The rising and descending portions of the ramps are narrower than the channel and the vanes are sealed with the channel only when they are fully extended, in the space between adjacent ends of adjacent ramps. Four vanes always occupy this position so that the active vane area is constant. High ramp portion 30C seals with the under surface of rotor 16. To avoid leakage past a vane when it is positioned at the top of the ramp, the high ramp portion has a dimension along the path of the vanes which is slightly greater than the dimension of the v-anes and vane receiving holes, .as 38a.

The rising and descending ramp portions are centrally located in the channels permitting free flow of the driving fiuid on either side thereof. Each of the rising and descending ramp portions is Ialso provided with a port as 30a', 30b', FIGURE 3, to facilitate flow of the driving fluid from one side to the other.

The broken line illustration of vane 33, FIGURE 3, illustrates its position as it moves up the rising ramp portion 30a toward the high portion 30C.

A limiting factor on the slope of rising ramp portion 30a is the lateral thrust which is applied to the vanes. If this thrust is excessive, the vanes have a tendency to jam. However, this condition is not such a problem with regard to the thrust 'applied by the descending ramp surface Where the vane is moving out of its hole in the rotor. Accordingly, the slope of the descending ramp portion may be much greater than that of the rising ramp portion. 'Ihis consideration permits minimizing the overall ramp length and thus the circumference of the machine.

Such a rotary machine may be operated satisfactorily as a motor with many types of fluid driving medium or may be utilized to pump a wide variety of fluids. In one specific motor, lubricating oil, SAE 20, at an inlet pressure of pounds per square inch, provided satisfactory operation.

If the t between individual vanes yand the wall of the channel permits excessive leakage, operation may be improved by increasing the number of vanes. The number of vanes must, however, be an integral multiple of the number of chambers; and torque is reduced as the ratio of vanes to chambers is increased.

The two manifolds are preferably closed by a flexible bottom plate 48 which overlies rib 24 and is sealed therewith by gasket 49. In the event an excessive pressure develops in inlet manifold 42, dam-age to the machine is prevented by the bottom plate 48 flexing outwardly, permitting the driving fluid to bypass the seal from inlet manifold 42 to outlet manifold 43, FIGURE 6.

The reciprocating vanes require a clearance to move in the holes provided in rotor 16. There is a tendency for the pressurized driving fluid in a motor to fill lthe space behind the vane, making it difficult for the vane to lift as it rides up the rising ramp surface. To alleviate this condition, vent passages or grooves 3812, FIGURE 5, are provided along the length of the rotor holes.

A modified vane mounting is shown in FIGURE 7, Where Vane 52 reciprocates along a path Which is normal to the rising ramp portion 30b. Thi-s relationship provides minimum transverse thrust on the vane and reduces the tendency of ya vane to bind.

The cylindrical vanes serve also as roller bearings between the rotor 16 and base 15, minimizing friction. If the vanes provide insufficient bearing surface between the two parts, additional bearings 54 may be provided as illustrated in FIGURE 8, between the periphery of rotor 15 and the inner peripheral wall 17a of cup-shaped enclosure 17. The bearings S4 may be roller bearings or ball bearings, for example.

A thrust bearing is provided between rotor 16 and cover 17 as shown in FIGURE 2. Here a ball bearing ring .assembly 55 is arranged concentrically with shaft 19 between the upper surface of rotor 16 and the inner surface of cover 17, surrounding the shaft bearing 20.

The machine may be operated as a pump by driving shaft 19 from a rotary power source. If the rotor is driven in a clockwise direction as viewed from above, manifold 42 is the inlet `and manifold 43 the outlet.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may lbe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A rotary machine comprising: a first member having an annular channel therein; a plurality of ramps in said channel, each ramp having a rising and a descending portion with a high point of each ramp between the rising and descending portions and dividing the channel into chambers of equal length; a second member rotatable with respect to the first and having a plurality of reciprocating vanes equally spaced in an annular pattern thereon and extending into and sealed with the walls and bottom of said channel, there being twice as many vanes as chambers; and means defining inlet and outlet ports for each of said chambers, between the ends of the rising and descending portions of the ramps and the high points thereof.

2. The rotary machine of claim 1 wherein each ramp includes a bypass passage between the lower ends of the rising and descending portions and said inlet and outlet ports.

'3. The rotary machine of claim 2 wherein the rising and descending portions of said ramps are narrower than said vchannel and are centrally located in the channel defining bypass passages on either side thereof.

4. The rotary machine of claim 2 wherein the total length of each ramp is substantialy equal to the spacing between vanes and to the distance between adjacent ends of each pair of ramps.

5. The rotary machine of claim 2 wherein the descending ramp portion is shorter than the rising ramp portion.

6. The rotary machine of claim 3 in which there is a hole through the rising and descending portion of each ramp.

7. A rotary machine comprising: a first member having an annular channel therein; a plurality of ramps in said channel, each ramp having a rising and a descending portion with a high point of each ramp between the rising and descending portions and dividing the channel into chambers of equal length; a second member rotatable with respect to the first and having a plurality of reciprocating vanes equally spaced in an annular pattern thereon, said vanes being cylindrical in cross-section and having a rounded end extending into said channel, the bottom of the channel having a complementary rounded configuration, the vanes being sealed with the walls and bottom of the channel; and means defining inlet and outlet ports for each of said chambers, between the ends of the rising and descending portions of the ramps and the high points thereof.

8. A rotary machine comprising: a first member having an annular channel therein; a plurality of ramps in said channel, each ramp having a rising and a descending portion with a high point of each ramp between the rising and descending portions and dividing the channel into chambers of equal length; a second member rotatable with respect to the first and having a plurality of reciprocating vanes equally spaced in an annular pattern thereon, and extending into and sealed with the walls and bottom of said channel, said second member having holes therein in which said vanes are slidably received; a spring behind each van urging it outwardly; means defining a bypass passage to vent the hole behind the vane; and means defining inlet and outlet ports for each of said chambers, between the ends of the rising and descending portions of the ramps and the high points thereof.

9. A rotary machine comprising: a first member having an annular channel therein; a plurality of ramps in said channel, each ramp having a rising and a descending portion with a high point of each ramp between the rising and descending portions and dividing the channel into chambers of equal length; a second member rotatable with respect to the first and having a plurality of reciprocating vanes equally spaced in an annular pattern thereon, and extending into and sealed With the walls and bottom of said channel; means defining inlet and outlet ports for each of said chambers, between the ends of the rising and descending portions of the ramps and the high points thereof; a manifold in the first member, inside the channel, connected with the ports at one end of each chamber; and an annular manifold outside the channel connected with the ports at the other end of each chamber.

10. The rotary machine of claim 9 wherein a rib on said first member separates said manifolds, the inner manifold being connected with the source of fluid under pressure, and including a flexible cover plate for the manifolds, held against said rib and, on occurrence of an excessive pressure in said inner manifold, subject to flexing away from said rib relieving the pressure in the inner manifold and permitting it to escape to the outer manifold.

11. A rotary machine comprising: a rst member having an annular channel therein; a plurality of ramps in said channel, each ramp having a rising and a descending portion with a high point of each ramp between the rising and descending portions and dividing the channel into chambers of equal length; a second member rotatable with respect to the first and having a plurality of reciprocating vanes equally spaced in an annular pattern thereon and extending into and sealed with the walls and bottom of said channel; means defining inlet and outlet ports for each of said chambers, between the ends of the rising and descending portions of the ramps and the high points thereof; and an enclosure for said second member, with bearing means between the member and enclosure.

12. The rotary machine of claim 11 including a shaft extending from the second member in a direction opposite the first member through said enclosure, along the axis of rotation of the second member, and a ball bearing ring with an axis on said axis of rotation between said second member and said enclosure.

13. The rotary machine of claim 11 wherein said second member has a circular periphery and said enclosure has a circular inner surface, with bearing means between the periphery of the second member and the inner surface of the enclosure.

14. A rotary machine comprising: a first member having an annular channel therein; a plurality of ramps in said channel, each ramp having a rising and a descending portion with a high point of each ramp between the rising and descending portions and dividing the channel into chambers of equal length; a second member rotatable with respect to the first and having a plurality of reciprocating vanes equally spaced in an annular pattern thereon, and extending into and sealed with the walls and bottom of said channel, said vanes being reciprocable normal to the surface of the rising portions of the ramps; and means defining inlet and outlet ports for each of said chambers, between the ends of the rising and descending portions of the ramps and the high points thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,786,893 12/1930 Burger 103-139 X 2,185,992 1/1940 Cady 103-139 3,339,492 9/1967 Brown 103--139 X JOHN J. CA'MBY, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 91-126 

